Page 162 - CJJanuary2026

2026 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 Albuquerque, New Mexico

Performing Choirs
P er f orming C hoirs

Veterans Memorial Early College High School bles. Additionally, members perform in the program’s
Varsity Treble Choir Varsity Mixed Chorale. Singers are involved in aca-
demics, athletics, and actively engage in the commu-
nity.

Iliana Guerrero is a choral educator,
clinician, adjudicator, and profession-
al vocalist in South Texas. She holds a
BME from the University of Texas-Rio
Grande Valley and began graduate stud-
ies in vocal performance. Now in her seventh year at
Veterans Memorial ECHS, she directs the Freshman,
Advanced, and Varsity Treble choirs, Show Choir, and
The Veterans Memorial Varsity Treble Choir is the codirects the Chamber Choir. Under her leadership,
premier treble ensemble at Veterans Memorial ECHS the choir program has set new records in TMEA all-
in Brownsville, TX, a Mexican American border town. state and UIL solo and ensemble, earning sweepstakes
Directed by Iliana Guerrero and accompanied by pia- at UIL concert and evaluation. In 2023 she presented
nist Dr. Uzziel Guzman, the ensemble consists of au- “Yes, You Can(va)” at the TI:ME Convention and was
ditioned sophomore, junior, and senior treble singers. named TCDA’s Young Director of Distinction. In 2025
Our singers consistently excel in regional and statewide she copresented at TMEA and was a section leader for
competitions, both as soloists and within their ensem- the TMEA all-state treble choir.

2026 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference

Interest Sessions

A Tenor Tantrum: arship to address common issues encountered in the
Passaggio Training in the Choral Rehearsal development of tenor and bass voices—in particular,
the management of registration changes or the “passa-
gio.” Attendees will learn evidence-based strategies and
The successful and sustainable development of examples of teaching techniques derived from modern
young tenor and bass voices within a choral ensemble vocal scholarship. These resources are designed to as-
setting presents a formidable challenge for many cho- sist emerging choral conductors in delivering accurate
ral conductors. In order to support the development and effective instruction to maturing tenor or bass voic-
of singing technique, it is imperative that the choral es in their ensembles.
rehearsal be a place where vocal technique is active-
ly taught and cultivated. This interactive presentation Cody Parrott, DMA, serves as director of choral ac-
aims to clarify and apply modern vocal pedagogy schol- tivities at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he teach-

160 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5